US team invited to probe Sharjah plane crash

A team of US experts, including the plane maker Boeing, have been invited to the UAE to assist in the investigation into the Sharjah plane crash in which six people died on Wednesday.

Boeing confirmed their involvement to the UAE daily paper, the National, saying it was on “standby to provide technical assistance in co-ordination with the US National Transportation Safety Board”.

Saif al Suwaidi, director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority, told the paper: “We are inviting the USA because they are more experienced with investigations of this kind with this type of aircraft. So we feel they can be helpful in determining the cause of the accident.’

The cargo plane, run by the Sudanese cargo firm Azza Transport, was a Boeing 707 that had been in operation at least since 1969, the paper said.

Witnesses told Arabian Business the plane banked sharply to the right as it took off from  Sharjah International Airport before hitting the ground and exploding into flames.

The pilot’s quick actions prevented the aircraft from hitting nearby houses and causing a much greater disaster, it was reported.

Al Suwaidi told the paper the plane was not overloaded as had previously been suggested. He said it was carrying six tonnes less than its maximum capacity of 37 tonnes.

He said that both flight recorders, recovered on Wednesday night, would be sent abroad to Europe, Canada or the US for analysis.

A statement by Boeing to the paper said: “The US government is currently coordinating with the UAE Government to provide assistance under the guidelines of ICAO Annex 13 and current US export control laws.”

According to the paper the US government imposed sanctions on Azza Transport was in 2007 for its alleged role in transferring weapons to Sudanese government forces and Janjaweed militiamen in Darfur.

Al Suwaidi also told the paper the government of Sudan was involved in the investigation.

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